August 29, 2010

Hebrews 11:20-40 (Good News Translation)

Embodying Hope and Encouraging Others in Faith

Introduction

Hebrews 11:20-40: This passage continues to describe the many actions and risks that the ancient Israelites took in response to their faith. Moses' parents kept him hidden from the king. Moses chose to return to his people, ultimately teaching them to celebrate Passover and leading them through the Red Sea. Rahab welcomed the Israelite spies. These and other people demonstrated their faith through action, trusting in God's promises for them.

Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 11:33

Through faith they fought whole countries and won. They did what was right and received what God had promised.

Today’s Reading

²⁰It was faith that made Isaac promise blessings for the future to Jacob and Esau. ²¹It was faith that made Jacob bless each of the sons of Joseph just before he died. He leaned on the top of his walking stick and worshiped God. ²²It was faith that made Joseph, when he was about to die, speak of the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, and leave instructions about what should be done with his body. ²³It was faith that made the parents of Moses hide him for three months after he was born. They saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king's order. ²⁴It was faith that made Moses, when he had grown up, refuse to be called the son of the king's daughter. ²⁵He preferred to suffer with God's people rather than to enjoy sin for a little while. ²⁶He reckoned that to suffer scorn for the Messiah was worth far more than all the treasures of Egypt, for he kept his eyes on the future reward. ²⁷It was faith that made Moses leave Egypt without being afraid of the king's anger. As though he saw the invisible God, he refused to turn back. ²⁸It was faith that made him establish the Passover and order the blood to be sprinkled on the doors, so that the Angel of Death would not kill the first-born sons of the Israelites. ²⁹It was faith that made the Israelites able to cross the Red Sea as if on dry land; when the Egyptians tried to do it, the water swallowed them up. ³⁰It was faith that made the walls of Jericho fall down after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days. ³¹It was faith that kept the prostitute Rahab from being killed with those who disobeyed God, for she gave the Israelite spies a friendly welcome. ³²Should I go on? There isn't enough time for me to speak of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. ³³Through faith they fought whole countries and won. They did what was right and received what God had promised. They shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴put out fierce fires, escaped being killed by the sword. They were weak, but became strong; they were mighty in battle and defeated the armies of foreigners. ³⁵Through faith women received their dead relatives raised back to life. Others, refusing to accept freedom, died under torture in order to be raised to a better life. ³⁶Some were mocked and whipped, and others were put in chains and taken off to prison. ³⁷They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were killed by the sword. They went around clothed in skins of sheep or goats—poor, persecuted, and mistreated. ³⁸The world was not good enough for them! They wandered like refugees in the deserts and hills, living in caves and holes in the ground. ³⁹What a record all of these have won by their faith! Yet they did not receive what God had promised, ⁴⁰because God had decided on an even better plan for us. His purpose was that only in company with us would they be made perfect.

Reflect

The Hebrew word sometimes translated as "faith" is Amen, which is used to close English prayers and hymns. It means to rely on what is firm and dependable, especially on God. This trust relationship is demonstrated through the stories named in this passage. What Bible stories provide a helpful model of faith for you?

Pray

Holy God, you provide wonderful examples of your faithful servants. Thank you for the many models of faith you have placed in my life. Bless them and keep them in your Spirit. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Mentors